After 7 Years of Nothing But a Mad Sign, Simi Valley Is Finally Getting a Real Brewery
Daniel Jordan 
The long-empty corner near 20 W. Cochran Street is about to wake up—with hoppy aromas, barbecue smoke, and the clink of pint glasses.
(CLAIR – Simi Valley, CA) — Come early 2026, Simi Valley Brewing Company will open its doors, promising more than just a cold beer. It’s being built as a true community space, a family-friendly destination, and—finally—a real hometown brewery.
The location once housed a Marie Callender’s, but it’s sat quiet for years. And for nearly as long, residents waited for the opening of MAD ERA Brewing, which promised big things but never poured a single pint. Now, there’s a new team with real experience, strong local ties, and a plan that’s already in motion.
“The community has had its eye on this location for quite a while, and we’re excited to see it come back to life with a concept that’s fresh, local, and centered around community,” said Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh in a statement provided by Deputy City Manager Heather Sumagaysay.
“Simi Valley Brewing Company is a great example of the growing opportunities to shop local, support homegrown businesses, and enjoy new dining and entertainment experiences that reflect the energy and vibrancy of our city.”
Meet the Team Brewing the Buzz
Simi Valley Brewing Company is the vision of three seasoned pros:
- Ali Zia, co-founder of Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. and Bottle & Pint
- Phil Adler, the restaurateur behind Freda’s Pizza & Woodfired Kitchen
- Daniel Price, a respected head brewer who made his mark at Beachwood Brewing and Riip Beer Company
“It’s not just a restaurant or a taproom,” said Ali Witwit, co-founder and COO. “We’re building something Simi Valley can claim as its own.” (We’d drink to that.)
What’s on Tap (Literally and Figuratively)
The new brewery will operate out of an 8,400-square-foot space with on-site beer production and a full kitchen centered on barbecue. The menu will also feature vegetarian-friendly plates, kid meals, craft cocktails, local wine, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Think smoked brisket, IPAs brewed on-site, a shaded outdoor patio, and live music from local artists. It’s the weekend plan Simi Valley didn’t know it needed—until now.
As Conejo Valley Guide recently noted, this team brings “a rare combination of brewing skill, restaurant know-how, and community vision.”
A Community Thirst Finally Answered
In a post on Reddit’s r/SimiValley, one resident summed up the local sentiment: “We’ve been waiting for a legit brewery here forever. Finally!”
That sense of relief is real. The city is full of chain restaurants and generic tap lists. But Simi Valley Brewing Company is designed to be more than another option—it’s meant to be a gathering space, a hometown hangout with heart.
“We want this to be a place where neighbors can hang out, not just drink,” said Zia in a press release.
Construction is expected to begin later this year. The team is already active on Instagram (@SimiValleyBC) and Facebook, with updates and sneak peeks to come. A full website will launch soon at simivalleybc.com.
So when that first pint is poured in 2026, it won’t just be beer. It’ll be a milestone. A sign that Simi Valley finally has the kind of brewery it’s been promised for years—only this time, it’s real.
Keep your fingers crossed, Simi Valley. This one just might work.
Re: the photo of the intersection.. “Cachian” street?? On the street sign?! LOL! This casts some ‘shade’ on the whole idea – seems like one big “A.I.” interpretation. I’ll believe this brewery is for real, when I can SEE it, and actually GO there – not hear continued hope and happy talk for something like a “neighborhood brewery” in that long vacant location!
Great catch on the street name. I am more curious about what challenges had to be overcome to get this brewery moving. Heck, it still will sit for 6 months. The article seems to imply that the new team is all that was needed. I am sure the story goes deeper. Ultimately, this site is challenged by its location and car access problems. Its big limiting factor is that you cannot directly access it southbound off Madera.
Phil Adler is a dishonest local business man! He runs his current business by using his own staffs tips as if they were his own. Don’t believe the hype this isn’t a nice neighbor all of us here in Simi
This is 100% True!! He keeps the tips that come on credit cards and pays them back months later!!
So true my cousin worked at the Moorpark location and at one point was owed $1500 in tips. They also were almost never paid on time. So unfair to your staff who work in the industry for tips.
The guy makes bad pizza now he is going to make bad bbq! We could use the brewery here but spare us from bad food
Sounds great other than the Phil Adler involvement. Rumor has it his Westlake location is about to close. His food in Moorpark is hit and miss – mostly miss!! You can order the Chicken Parm and every time it will look different. What’s up two out of three people is enough to make it work.
So funny! I thought no one would ever say this even though every one knew the truth about Phil Adler. The poor staff he hides from when it’s pay day a week late or Zelle’s us our tips weeks late with some lame excuse. Meanwhile he has a new truck, vacations and keeps opening new places while we don’t even know when will get our money!! Tips aren’t his to use they our hard earned money he only has access because of credit cards. So low and dishonest!! LABOR BOARD Help us all
I like Phil Adler he always seems so nice when I’m in Freda Moorpark but if any of this is true it’s not right. I worked in the food industry 40 years ago and my tips were my lifeline. Let’s hope this is all miscommunication
Tarantula Hill run this yourselves please!! Phil Adler isn’t our friendly neighbor – he is shady at best! Food, quality, and inconsistency are the Hallmark of all his locations and where everybody’s saying in all these messages is true as as spare us the torture of that!
Love all this thought I was the only one who knew the truth about Phil Adler and his sidekick moron Peter. They treat staff like getting paid for your hard work is optional and their tips are for the business use until you beg an plead for it. It’s not how stuff should be treated especially when Phil try to put in this local good guy act. Using staff tips is ILLEGAL and with holding scheduled pay is also ILLEGAL. LETS NOT SUPPORT A BUSINESS LIKE THAT!! There are plenty of local hard working small business that need our help.
Prince Street Pizza, Slice House, and event Toppers have better pizza than Freda’s and now he is going to bring us BBQ. We Zef here in Simi why don’t they they bring them in to make the community happy!!
Bring Zef BBQ to the brewery!!! we don’t need they trash of the other guy – he makes bad pizza and now he is going to try BBQ – Hard Pass!!!!